Invalid bed



Dec. 21, 1943. w. A. LELAND, JR

INVALID BED Filed March 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l JIWM'ItM WHEEEN 46. L5 row A 51. /l/VD Je.

Deg 21, 1943.

W. LELAND, JR INVALID BED 4 sn'ets sneet 3 Filed March 3, 1941 Dec. 21, 1943.

w. A. LELAND. JR

INVA'LID BED Filed March 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 21, 1943 Warren Allsien Leland, J12, Towson, Md.

Application March 3, 1941, Serial No. 381,436

1 Claim.

This invention refers to beds and more particularly to those intended for medical, hospital or casualty purposes. It has among its objects to provide a bed capable of being tilted and positioned in a large variety of planes for the purpose of better adapting same to patients suffering from cardiac and other maladies and also for manipulating the bed with relative ease while doing so. A further object is to have the bed unit adapted for easy assembly and disassembly for storage, so that it may be packed in a relatively small space and in a manner that will permit many units to be stowed away closely against each other without parts projecting objectionably into one another. Another object is to provide a mechanism that will easily operate the bed parts into the predetermined positions. Still another object is to have the unit arranged for flexibly forming through the movements of its parts, a series of special supporting forms that will bend the body and its limbs into many specific positions, such as bending at the knees, raising the back, or lifting the legs or head of the user into whatever position is selected at the time. Objects, such as attaining positions for standing the patient up; placing him in a sitting position; laying him down; lifting his head or legs to a bent position while he is laying down; moving him around while in a sitting position or otherwise, and so on.

Many of the objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

The conventional form of hospital bed permits the transportation of the patient thereon due to the legs of the bed having wheels or casters mounted on their lower ends. often limited in movements other than in a limited tilting manner, and such often requires the lifting of the bed with the patient thereon in a very laborious manner. This invention goes further in its purpose and actions. It permits the lifting of the patient, through the movements of its parts, to a sitting, or standing position, and it can lift the user's legs so same are bent at the knees or hips. This is done to relieve the patient of the effort required to hold the legs in this position without support, and provides a support under the undersurface of the legs as well as acting as a guide that will keep same in the definite position selected. The toggle mechanisms used preferably bend sections of the bed into angular contours to suit the functions desired. Crank members operate the shafts to which the various mechanisms are attached and serve to make the bed structure assume the angles and tiltings necessary for the functions of the unit. The cranks The bed itself is 35 are operated independently and work to produce individual effects. This toggle mechanism offers such resistance that the bed structure can be held in any position adopted without the use of latches, ratchets or catches to extraneously lock the parts. The toggle mechanism pulls the parts and in unique manner avoids the use of levers and pivots. The bed itself consists of a false bed or foundation structure on which is mounted the bed proper ready to take on the various positions and forms suitable for the functions anticipated in its use.

In the drawings, which indicate a form of this invention by way of example:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a casualty bed unit embodying this invention; same being in its normal horizontal position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the bed unit in a tilted position and to form a chair, parts being broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the bed unit in its vertical position to raise the patient to a walking position; or to place the patient on the bed.

Figure 5 is a front view of the Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail showing the underside or end view of the foot shelf on the bed proper;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the bed unit in a special leg bending and back raising position;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the supporting under-frame of the unit used to carry the false bed or foundation structure and the bed proper;

Figure 10 is a detail in plan of the bed raising toggle mechanism used in this bed unit;

Figure 11 is a detail of the bed bending toggle mechanism used in this bed unit;

Figure l2 is a detail in section indicating the bearing post and socket for same in the supporting frame;

Figure 13 is an end elevational view of the supporting under-frame as seen from the right in Fig. 9, the connecting cross-bar being shown detached.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown in the drawings, represents an under-frame consisting of two side members of rectangular form having legs 2 and 22 at the front and rear respectively which are extended and provided with casters 3 on which to move the frame. The side members are each braced with a hollow'central cross truss t to strengthen them and also hold a pair of sockets 5 having recesses fi therein. A bracket bar 7 having locking pins 8 on its end portions is dispins 8 set in the recesses 6 in the sockets of V the cross trusses 4. The use of this single bracket bar 1 serves to hold the side members of the under-frame very substantially, at its central location and the type of end portions used with the locking pins 8 ties them effectively to meet every normal stress expected, when used to support the bed elements of the unit. The lugs 9 on the rear end vertical legs 22 project in the general plane of the'frame and have openings it through which a removable bolt rod H is attached to remforce the frame between its side members. Chained pins 2i] act as a stop for bed foundation portions of the unit to bedescribed. The front legs 2 are disposedat an angle as indicated in the drawings, and serve to cooperate with the tilting functions of the bed portion of the unit. The upper portion of the longitudinal and horizontal arms iii of the frame, over the hollow cross trusses 4, have bearing posts 13 on which the bed frame stub shafts I i rotate, or pivot. Each of these bearing posts consist of a round bar with a roller or wheel lfi'mounted on its lower end portion, to enable it to slide more easily in the truss i. In addition a suitable roller i5 is situated in the truss to engage the surface of the post and enable it to slide with less friction in vertical reciprocating movements. The upper portion l! of the post forms a bearing in which the stubs id of the bed-frame 3% pivots. The arms !2 and bed-frame foundation 30 are drilled, having'holes 59 through which chained pins 2&3 can pass through and pass into the bedframe foundation to lock the arms rigidly with the foundation frame and hold the latter in a horizontal position, when desired. The arms i2 also have side flat plate brackets 2i and 31 to support a special toggle shaft 2d. The bracket 2! is provided With an auxiliary arrangement 25 for providing an additional point for operating the shaft 2 at a different speed.

The arrangement 25 consists of a chain 26 and gear transmissions 21 with a stub 23 on the gear for use with a socket handle 29.

The bed portion consists of a foundation structure or false-bed 38 on which is mounted the mattress framework or bed proper 65], each separated from one another. The structure ft is preferably formed of angle iron in a rectangular form of rigid construction. Its longitudinal sides are of angle iron framed into a head cross angle iron 32 facing downwardly, and into another angle-iron 33 at the other end, facing upwardly. A channel piece 3 adjacent to the cross angleiron 32' faces downwardly, while another similar channel iron 35 is similarly mounted but spaced from the front angle 33 about one quarter of the length of the foundation structure. This foundation structure is of rigid form and pivoted on the bearing posts 63 at the middle of the side frames. The front end portion of the foundation structure is provided with floor rollers 36 which assist in the operation of the unit while it is being brought into a tilting position. The floor rollers 33 prevent the foundation frame from striking the floor, when brought to a vertical position. The rollers roll back freely due to the readjustment of the position of the pivots M supporting the foundation frame on its bearing posts it, and the facility from friction provided for by the rollers l5 and i5 therein. Sets of journal plates .3"! and 38 respectively support the toggle mechanism which operate the folding arm levers 39 and 82 which operate predetermined sections of the mattress framework. A U-formed element 42 is attached to the under portion of the side angle-irons at H as indicated. Plates i3 formed with pawl teeth iii serve to engage arms ll of the mattress framework. These arms H and the pawl teeth serve as a hinge for swinging the front section of the bed proper to the position indicated in Figure 8. The toggle shaft 24, is threaded with substantial threads 46 and 45, one being righthanded while the other is lefthanded. Nuts d6 operate in opposite directions as the toggle shaft is rotated, and in doing so extend or contract the toggle mechanism 41 to push or pull on the bracket or element 42 attached rigidly to the under portion of the foundation frame at right angles. The contraction of the toggle mechanism pulls on the bracket or element Q2 and lowers a portion of the foundation frame 39 with it. a The structure rotates on its pivots on the stubs I l, causing the front of the structure to lower and the rear portion to rise and gives the whole foundation a tilting position. on more pulling by the toggle as the toggle shaft M is rotated, the wheels 38 are brought down and contact the ground to force the middle portion of the foundation structure to rise, until the bearing posts are raised to the proper elevated position.

A similar toggle mechanism shown in Figure 11 is located on the false bed or foundation structure underneath, and is operated by a socket handle which rotates stub 28 attached to a toggle shaft 59 using right and left hand arrangements of screw threads [M and H35 respectively, to propel its swivel nuts 8D fastened to each end portion thereof. The movement of the swivel nuts extends or retracts the lazy tongs 8!, as the case may be. The toggle shaft 59 is attached to plates 38 anchored in a channel 3 3 rigidly secured to the underside of the false bed or foundation structure 383. Its lazy tongs 8i operate from the toggle shaft 50 and cause the other end portion attached to the folding arm 82 to swing on its hinges 83. The free end portions 84 of the arms are provided with rollers 85 that slide'in slots 86 in the frame of the head section 54 to raise and lower same in an easy manner, as the case may be, by swinging it on its hinge 55. This hinge 55 is rigidly attached to the cradle ii'i attached to the top of the false bed structure St, as indicated in Figure 8. This head section has a head post section 88, and a hinged handle bar 48 attached to it that is free to swing.

The so called foot section of the spring mattress portion of the bed unit consists of a plurality of hinged portions 89 and 98, that swing from the hinge i5! attached to the cradle 8'! and the intervening hinge 9|, while an apron forms the bottom rest, that can hinge or become rigid. This apron is preferably curved as indicated at 92; and is held rigid by straps E93 and pieces 93 movably connected with the portion 95. A hinged U-formed arm 94 attached to the portion 88 swings under the apron to support it. The clip i9 3 and screw 95 serve to hold this arm lock d in place when so desired. A toggle mechanism and lazy links M operated through a shaft and swivel nuts 89 anchored to the plates 3? located in the channel member and attached to the folding arm 39 rotates the latter on'its pivot'in the foundation structure so that the rollers 96 attached to its end portions can smoothly engage the under surfaces of the portion 38 in the slot 53, and lift or lower the sections 85-) and 9%),

according to the direction of its travel, through an arcuate path. A set of casters l 36 are mounted on the under part of the mattress section 96 to serve as a buffer when the section comes against the foundation frame 30, and also as an arrangement to permit the section to roll up with less friction when it is bent angularly on same. A plate 43 with pawl teeth which is rigidly attached to the foundation structure serves as adjustable holder for the arm H to engage in and be held. This in turn varies the anbular position of the leg portion 90. The bed proper of the unit consists of a framework on which a spring mattress 60 is resiliently attached. The three toggle mechanisms described form the main means for manipulating the bed proper. This is done without disturbin the spring mattress thereon, except to vary its tension in certain respects. The drawings indicate the location of the various shafts where they project for the attachment of the socket handle used for operating same. They are all independently placed and may be operated together or by themselves. Some of the positions in which the bed proper of the unit may be put in are indicated in the drawings. The U-form of the folding arms allow space for other parts to be moved without obstructing same.

The unit is operated by rotating the toggle shafts with the socket handle. These shafts extend or contract the various lazy links, which in turn pull on the U-formed arms to which they are attached. This in one instance tilts or lowers the foundation structure and bed proper together. In the other cases, the other toggle mechanisms raise or lower the head or foot sections to various positions selected. When the foot section is tilted towards the front and downwardly it is brought in line with the angular legs at the front of the underframe I. When the front section of the foundation structure reaches the ground, its wheels 36 engage the floor and on being pulled back towards the rear of the bed unit, bring the frame to a more vertical position, causing the bearing posts l3 to rise with it out of the underframe truss 4 and change the manner of distributing its Weight. The movement of the various sections of the bed proper and its mattress has already been explained sufficiently. The lazy tongs method used in this case afford a very effective manner of doing work. It is powerful without being obstructive or unwieldy. The parts are readily-accessible, and every movement desirable for the handling of the patient is taken care of with ease and controllable precision.

While butone form of the invention, is indicated in the drawings, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this form, as it is appreciated that many other structures could be built that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A casualty bed unit comprising in combination, an underframe having plural side members of substantially rectangular form braced and connected to one another to keep them vertically disposed and with legs formed thereon for supporting same on a horizontal plane, rollers attached to the legs for enabling the underframe to be moved readily across the plane, a foundation structure of bed-like form arranged for adjustable positioning on the said underframe, supported thereon adjacent the middle axis thereof and adapted to take predetermined angular positions from horizontal to vertical, a mattress attached to said foundation structure on the upper surface thereof for supporting an individual laying thereon, arms attached to the foundation structure, arms attached to the said structure adjacent the middle portion thereof, lever means freely attached to the arms for operating same, slidable pivot means for supporting the structure at the middle axis and mounted on the underframe, said means being arranged to operate with the structure and mattress and allow the latter to turn through a non-circular arc and travel over a limited area without restricting the full movement from horizontal to vertical of the mattress, a toggle lazy tong means connected rigidly on the underframe at one end and the said structure at the other but allowing a hinged or swinging movement thereon in cooperation with the arcuate travel of the structure aforesaid and the mattress thereon, a screw threaded element for extending and retracting said toggle lazy tong means and forcing the structure to operate arcuately thereby, handle means for enabling the individual to hold himself in place on the mattress during the travel thereof, and adjustable foot piece for resting and holding the feet of the individual within a restricted area on the mattress, and means in the structure permitting it to bend into the form of a chair and other forms for physically changing the position of the body and of the said individual to suit predeterminedly, and rollers on the foot piece of the structure for facilitating its positioning in a vertical or angular manner with; the foot piece aligned therewith, substantially as described.

WARREN ALLSTON LELAND, JR. 

